LOCAL community organisation, Move the Mind, has been named a winner in this year’s ITV People’s Projects, walking away with £50,000 of National Lottery funding.
With the money, Move the Mind will build an all-weather animal exercise arena that will be used for therapeutic horse-riding and other therapeutic experiences with animals to help children with autism and other neurocognitive conditions to heal sensory dysfunctions and to gain direct communication.
The new arena will allow the therapy to take place in an area without distraction and allow children to quietly explore and play as part of the sessions.
The money will also be used to build new paths around the farmland to make it wheelchair accessible.
Director of Move the Mind, Nicole Gillard, told Frome Times, “Thank you to everyone that voted and supported us. The project started from a bare field – to see it grow and reach more people is amazing.
“I’m delighted that we are going to be able to make more of a difference to the families on our waiting list, many of which are from Frome.
“The £50,000 means that we cover all the costs to build a new all-weather arena and build new paths to make the area wheelchair accessible. Construction of the arena will hopefully start in May, work will start on the new paths as soon as possible so that they are ready for the summer.”
Move the Mind is based in Babington, and has been offering therapeutic experiences with animals since it was founded by Nicole in October 2017. As well as working with local families, the organisation also supports schools in the local area, including North Hill House School in Frome.
For more information, visit: www.movethemind.net
